“‘A Sackable Offence’: Carragher Points to Liverpool Player Who Could Cost Slot His Position”
It was another night to forget for Arne Slot and his struggling Liverpool squad, who suffered a heavy 4–1 defeat to Peter Bosz’s PSV Eindhoven in Wednesday’s Champions League clash. After the loss — Liverpool’s third in a row — Jamie Carragher, speaking on CBS Sports, suggested that one player’s continued selection should be enough to cost Slot his job.
Just days after a 3–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Anfield witnessed the team’s most humbling performance of the campaign as PSV dismantled Liverpool at a ground that is usually considered intimidating for visiting sides. That reputation didn’t hold up on this occasion. Ivan Perisic converted a penalty inside six minutes, and although Dominik Szoboszlai equalised ten minutes later, Liverpool’s resistance quickly faded. Guus Til lifted a clever finish over Giorgi Mamardashvili early in the second half, before substitute Couhaib Driouech scored in the 73rd minute and added another in stoppage time to complete the rout.
Carragher Slams Konate, Calls Continued Selection a ‘Sackable Offence’
Behind the scenes, questions are reportedly mounting over whether Slot — who became the fifth manager to win the Premier League in his debut season — is the right figure to lead Liverpool in the post-Klopp era. Last season’s title triumph gives him some protection for now, but supporters are bracing for the moment when club leadership might decide enough is enough.
Carragher, however, believes Slot should already be in danger — specifically for sticking with Ibrahima Konate. Reacting live as PSV scored their third goal, the former defender picked up his phone in disbelief. “Oh my God, Konate! Look at Konate here, oh my God!” he exclaimed.
“I’ve had enough of them, honestly. Konate — that’s a sackable offence for the manager to keep picking him. He should be sacked for that.”
The goal in question began when Joey Veerman knocked the ball away from Szoboszlai in Liverpool’s half. The loose ball drifted toward Konate, who had just headed it clear. Attempting a second clearance within seconds, the French defender swung at the ball but completely whiffed. Ricardo Pepi seized on the error and broke toward goal. His shot struck the post, but Driouech reacted quickest and fired in the rebound.
Ibrahima Konate’s Stats vs PSV (Liverpool 1–4 PSV)
Minutes: 76
Touches: 50
Accurate Passes: 40/41 (98%)
Passes into Final Third: 5
Errors Leading to Goal: 1
Tackles: 3
Recoveries: 6
Ground Duels Won: 3/3 (100%)
Rating: 5.6
Liverpool would likely have avoided the dangerous situation altogether had Konate dealt with the bouncing ball in the first place — something Carragher emphasized afterward.
Carragher’s Long-Running Criticism of Konate Challenged by Former Red
Konate has been a frequent target of Carragher’s critiques. Even after Liverpool’s 4–2 season-opening win over Bournemouth, Carragher described the defender’s performance as “shocking,” and the criticism has only intensified this season — particularly following a 3–0 defeat to Manchester City on November 9. After that match, Carragher said:
“Konate again — whenever Liverpool concede or run into problems, he’s involved. He’s got a big issue away from home, and that’s when you need your centre-backs most. Too often this season he’s disappeared in away games.”
Not everyone shares that view, though. Former Liverpool defender Djimi Traoré — who played 88 matches for the club between 1999 and 2006 — publicly disagreed with Carragher on X (formerly Twitter).
“My dear friend, usually I agree with your football opinions, but this time I disagree with you singling out Ibou Konate. Last year he was one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. This season the whole Liverpool team has underperformed,” Traoré wrote.
Carragher simply replied: “That’s absolutely fine my dear friend!”